DeepSummary
The episode features an interview with Anton Cohen, a partner at CohnReznick LLP and the national director of the firm's Renewable Energy Industry Practice. Cohen discusses the current state of the clean energy transition, highlighting the increasing urgency and push from major corporations and fossil fuel companies to adopt renewable energy sources. He emphasizes the importance of ensuring the energy transition is racially and economically just, providing access to clean, affordable power for underserved communities.
Cohen shares his optimism about the potential impact of the proposed infrastructure bill and the Biden administration's policies on accelerating the energy transition. He believes that a combination of factors, including offshore wind, green hydrogen, energy efficiency, and new technologies, could make achieving a net-zero emissions grid by 2035 a realistic goal. However, he acknowledges the need for a balanced approach and the adoption of various solutions.
The interview also touches on the growing concern surrounding cybersecurity risks and data breaches in the energy industry. Cohen highlights the importance of companies understanding their cyber threat risk profiles and updating their technology infrastructure to mitigate these risks. Additionally, he discusses the potential impact of the updated Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) regulations on encouraging financial institutions to invest in clean energy projects in low and moderate-income communities.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The clean energy transition is gaining momentum, with major corporations and fossil fuel companies recognizing the need to adopt renewable energy sources.
- Ensuring a just and equitable energy transition that provides access to clean, affordable power for underserved communities is a key priority.
- The proposed infrastructure bill and the Biden administration's policies could potentially accelerate the energy transition, but a balanced approach and the adoption of various solutions are needed to achieve ambitious goals like a net-zero emissions grid by 2035.
- Cybersecurity risks and data breaches are a growing concern in the energy industry, and companies need to understand their cyber threat risk profiles and update their technology infrastructure to mitigate these risks.
- The updated Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) regulations could encourage financial institutions to invest in clean energy projects in low and moderate-income communities.
- Despite the challenges, there is optimism and enthusiasm for the clean energy transition among experts like Anton Cohen.
- Corporations are increasingly focused on broader environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals, beyond just purchasing clean power through power purchase agreements.
- There is a need for a combination of solutions, including offshore wind, green hydrogen, energy efficiency, new technologies, and carbon capture, to achieve ambitious decarbonization goals.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “What I'm seeing now is the adoption by a lot of the big oil and gas majors, right? They realize that they got to diversify.“ by Anton Cohen
- “It's coming and it's coming in a big, big way.“ by Anton Cohen
- “I think the issue with companies, what they really need to do, and I think you're correct with everything that's going on with fintech and cryptocurrencies and different ways of paying for things and wire fraud, and certainly we've seen an increase in a lot of those attacks. I think part of it is because companies don't have a complete understanding of their cyber threat risk profile.“ by Anton Cohen
- “I think the momentum's there and I'm excited to be a part of it.“ by Anton Cohen
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Episode Information
The Energy Gang
Wood Mackenzie
8/10/21
We're at a new phase of the clean energy transition. Extreme heat, drought and floods are increasing in frequency. Public attention on clean energy is stronger than ever. The Biden Administration is putting zero-carbon energy at the core of its policies.
And there's another powerful force: making sure the energy transition is as racially and economically just as possible.
Anton Cohen is a partner at CohnReznick LLP, and national director of the firm’s Renewable Energy Industry Practice. He's been advising companies across a wide range of industries: tech, manufacturing, public tax credits, and energy.
Today, he focuses exclusively on renewables: “All we do is renewables. Live, eat, sleep, breathe renewables.”
The large investors and energy users that Anton advises are feeling the urgency.
“I think it's the corporates who are pushing hard. People know what direction we're heading in. It's just a matter of how quickly we get there with the energy transition,” says Anton.
Amidst all of this change in the corporate world, we have an ongoing pandemic, a lumpy economic recovery, massive cybersecurity breaches, and an infrastructure bill under consideration that could transform the clean energy economy.
Anton is watching all of it. So we caught up with him for a take on how all these factors are influencing each other.
This episode was produced in collaboration with the international advisory, tax and accounting firm CohnReznick LLP. Learn more about how clean energy experts and advisors like Anton, can help your organization grow.
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